Infusion Survey

Multinational 'Insulin Infusion Set' Survey

A multinational survey was recently conducted on insulin pump users to investigate rates of metabolic and non-metabolic complications associated with infusion set use. The survey was distributed to patients and healthcare practitioners in the US, Canada, Germany, and France. In addition to the survey, healthcare practitioners also conducted a physical assessment of patients, as well as a review of their insulin pumps and patient charts. This data will help to reinforce the need to make infusion sets a greater part of the pump therapy discussion.

The findings of the survey were presented at FITTER by Phyllis Wolff, a leading diabetes expert with extensive experience working with patients who use insulin pumps.

Article 3.2 says that where risk cannot be eliminated the employer shall take appropriate measures to minimise the risks. Appropriate measures to minimise the risks would include the provision by employers of safer needle devices. (Cf. NHS Employers, Implementation advice on sharps agreement, 12th October 2010)

Holstein A, Stege H, Kovacs P. Lipoatrophy associated with the use of insulin analogues: a new case associated with the use of insulin glargine and review of the literature. Expert Opin Drug Saf. 2010 Mar;9(2):225-31.

India: Tandon N. l. Forum for Injection Technique (FIT), India: The Indian recommendations 2.0, for best practice in Insulin Injection Technique, 2015. Indian J Endocr Metab. 2015;19(3):317-331. This is the latest version of guidelines which were first published in India in 2012 and updated in 2013 and 2014.

Significant portions of this section, as well as the Recommendations, have been lifted, with permission, from the WISE recommendations: Strauss K, WISE Consensus group. WISE recommendations to ensure the safety of injections in diabetes. Diabetes Metab. 2012;38 (Suppl 1):S2-8. doi: 10.1016/S1262-3636(12)70975-8.

The Directive specifically requires: ‘eliminating the unnecessary use of sharps by implementing changes in practice and on the basis of the results of the risk assessment, providing medical devices incorporating safety-engineered protection mechanisms.’ Council Directive 2010/32/EU, Official Journal of the European Union, L134/71 and Council Directive 2010/32/EU, Official Journal of the European Union, L134/69.